Top 10: Luxury Car Vacations

number 7

Beverly Hilton

Beverly Hills

Only a handful of places in the world dictate a luxury hotel and luxury car as mandatory for a visit. Even fewer exemplify this like Beverly Hills. Clearly, an Aveo from the rental agency at the airport just won’t cut it. The Beverly Hilton understands and offers several sets of wheels that are adequately prestigious without drawing undue attention. You can blend in tastefully with vehicles that include an Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Lexus ES 330 and RX 330, Mercedes C230 and ML350, plus a Volvo XC90.

number 6

Ritz-Carlton Hotels

Select locations

They say some of the best things in life are free. We don’t completely disagree, but good luck finding a luxury car vacation gratis. Instead, we suggest some of the best things in life are hyphenated. Realizing many guests miss their cars while on vacation, select Ritz-Carlton locations around the U.S. ease the homesickness with their Mercedes-Benz Key to Luxury packages. Take the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Ray, California, for example. Starting at a surprisingly reasonable $559 per night, guests can enjoy unlimited mileage and a daily “thankful” of gas with a CLS550 Coupe, GL450 SUV, S550 sedan or SL550 convertible, depending on availability.

number 5

Waikiki Parc Hotel

Honolulu

Now you too can enjoy luxurious Hawaiian accommodations and fly down island roads in a hot European sports car. While this might sound like a pitch for a Magnum, P.I. fantasy camp, it’s really The Lotus Experience. Offered by Honolulu’s Waikiki Parc Hotel, it combines a stay in the remodeled Waikiki Parc with a go in a Lotus Elise. Beyond the accommodations, the car itself is a refreshing change from the ho-hum Chrysler Sebrings or Ford Mustangs that usually round out the rental convertible choices. You don’t even have to wear an ugly shirt or get chased by Dobermans.

number 4

Mandarin Oriental

London

In a 48-hour whirlwind, you could enjoy the spoils of a premium hotel, engage Paul McCartney’s daughter for a photo shoot and be chauffeured around London. It’s not a bad way to kill a couple of days — or part with $40,000 (minus tax and service charges). London’s Mandarin Oriental offers a two-night suite stay that includes spa treatments so you’ll look your best when fashion photographer Mary McCartney starts snapping. Additionally, you’ll have a butler at your service, be treated to dinner and enjoy chauffeured use of the hotel’s Mercedes-Benz. For once, it won’t be easy for your friends to one-up your “how was your weekend” conversation.